The Arizona Legislature has passed a controversial religion bill that is again thrusting Arizona into the national spotlight in a debate over discrimination.House Bill 2153/Senate Bill 1062, written by the conservative advocacy group Center for Arizona Policy and the Christian legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom, would allow individuals to use religious beliefs as a defense against a lawsuit.

I don't think you can call Christian conservative activists 'Christians" anymore when they act like this. For all their fear-mongering of Sharia Law beig brought to these shores, they're the ones embracing the same concepts in the name of hatred and bigotry. It's been the religious right that has lead the charge against all forms of laws protecting gays from discrimination and acts of violence and now they want to put into place theocratic laws to further harm the gay community. Fortunately, not all Arizonians feel the same way as the Center for Arizona Policy and Alliance Defending Freedom do.

The Valley's business community is urging the governor to veto SB 1062, the controversial religious freedom bill that would allow business owners to deny service to gays and lesbians.

Barry Broome is president of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. Broome told CBS 5 News that SB 1062 is a terrible idea and would send the wrong message to companies looking to come here.

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"So much of the cultural transformation going on in America right now is towards acceptance and tolerance," said Broome. "I think it's going to be very difficult to attract any kind of talent or investment or events. It's going to destroy the goodwill between our state and the rest of the world."

SB 1062 is already having an impact even though there's no guarantee the governor will sign it. Broome said that four companies considering expansion in the Phoenix area have crossed Arizona off their lists.

Another business that was planning to invest $100 million in the state has put its deal on hold. And two companies indicated today that they've been fired, because the clients don't want to do business in Arizona, said Broome.

And what about the state's tourism industry? Debbie Johnson is president of the Valley's Hotel and Resort Association.

She said if the governor signs SB 1062, it could jeopardize the prospects of Arizona getting another Super Bowl or any other major event like the Final Four.

It's up to Gov. Jan Brewer to do the right thing and veto this horrid bill.